Electric vaporizer and heater



y w. B. LUCAS. ELECTRIC VAPORIZEH AND HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30| T917.

2 SHEETS-@TIBET l.

Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

W. B. LUCAS.

ELECTRIC vAPomzEn Arm HEATER.

PPLICATION FILED NOV- 30. 1917- Patented 5, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM IB. LUCAS, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO GILBERT S. ELLITHORPE AND ONE-FOURTH TO FREDERICK T. ELLITHORPE, 'BOTH OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC VAPORIZER AND HEATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led November 30, 1917. Serial No. 204,672.

'To all whom t may concern:

'Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. LUCAS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Oak Park, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have'invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Vaporizers and Heaters, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates mainly to heating appliances and to vaporizing means therefor, and more particularly to the generation of steam lby electricity.

Themain objects ofthe invention are to provide an improved form of quickly responsive heater and a vaporizer therefor of interchangeable character ada ted for quick production of steam and capa le of electric operation; to provide a iash generator of improved and compact form adapted for various uses where such a device may be found more readily available and convenient than ordinary sources of steam and especially ,Where quick response is desirable; to provide sucha device the mass of which as-a whole has a low specific heat, and whereby the initial energy delivered to the generator may be made effective almost instantly throughout the radiator for heating the room; to provide a quick acting electric vaporizer adapted for embodiment in a form suitable for humidifying the air, as in living rooms or wherever the air may be too dry; to provide in a device of the character described, a water supply member adapted for automatic control and electric means for scribed adapted for ready portability.

Further objects of the invention are to provlde steam generating means adapted for attachment to a radiator which maybe either connected to independent sources of steam or independent thereof, and whlch I may be either stationaryor portable; and to provide a quick-acting steam heater adapted for use in emergency or at times when the regular "steam supply or other source of 'fait iscut ofi', or where slight or temporary may be 'required at times. Such tempovfifra heat Yis especially desirable ina the Warmer climates as in some of our southern States where permanent heaters are not installed, open lire places often being relied upon.

Usually in the spring and fall there are times when such. a device as above referred to may save the labor and expense of starting and operating a furnace or other lar e equipment temporarily or at a very low e ciency.

Moreover, it not infrequently occurs that one may want immediate, though perhaps only temporarily, sufficient heat to remove the chill, as in a bath room or dressing room. By means of the quick-acting electrically controlled device hereinafter described the foregoing objects may be attained most conveniently and eiiiciently.

Certain illustrative 'embodiment-s of this invention are` shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical middle section of a room heater or radiator equipped with an electric flash generator having means for superheating the steam. Fig. 2 is mainly an axial section of an electric vaporizer or steam generator, part of the device being in elevation, same being adapted for use where there is pressure on the liquid supply main.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with all of the parts in section.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectionl on the line 4 4 of Fig. k3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical axial section of a vapendent of pressure,u the for humidifying the air.

Fig. 6 is an axial section of a spirally channeled steam generator adapted for interchangeability with the form shown in Fig. 1^.

In the embodiment shownV in Fig. 1 the vaporizer or steam generator 1 is attached to a radiator 2 being mounted interiorly thereof. Said radiator is provided with a safetyvalve 3, an air release valve 4, a current control thermostat 5, and a water feed cup 6. The safety valve is adapted for adjustment to release steam. at a predetermined pressure, as will be understood. The air release valve can be of any of the numerous forms adapted to release the air as is usual Patented Mal'. 5, 1918.

in radiators. The thermostat 5 and electrical connections 7-77 leading thereto and to the vaporizer are shown diagrammatically in conventional form, it being understood that the thermostat serves to open the circuit when the temperature rises to a predetermined'degree. The feed cup 6 having a removable screw cap 6 is provided in order that the supply of water may be replenished from time to time to take the place of leakage through the air valve, safety device, or otherwise. The radiator may, of course, be provided with a water gage 8 for visual indication ofthe water level, said gagebeing on the back side as viewed in Fig. 1.

TheV radiatori?l may be of anyform desired but in the preferred embodiment, such as shown in Fig. 1, it comprises a plurality of sections formed from thin pressed steel plates welded together at their edges as at 9 and 9. The lower part of the radiator constitutes a reservoir for water as at 10.I The upper part comprises numerous sections or steam compartments 11 with open air spaces 12-between them Ias usual in radiators, ,thus providing a large radiating surface. y

The normal water level is asshown in Fig. 1, but this may be permitted to recede to a level indicated at 13, preferably not much if I any below the upper edge of thev water inlet aperture of the generator 1.

One end of the lower part 0f the reservoir, preferably opposite from the cup 6, is provided with anl interiorly threaded nipple or bushing 14 adapted to receive the vaporizer 1, and the other end may bein a similar man-v ner .provided with a nipple 15 adapted to receive the closure or plug 15 which in turn .carries the feed cup 6 having a lateral yprojection threaded to fit` in a central perforation in said plug.

The vaporizer of Fig. 1 comprises a closed outer tube or jacket 16 having an aperture 17 on Alts upper side for the discharge.of steam, the outer end of the jacket vbeing interlorly threaded to receive the correspondmgly threaded bushing 18. Said bushing is provided with' a flange 19 which is clamped ,by means of the ring 20 lagainst the outer end of the cylindrical plug 21,V which fits in the radiatorI nipple 14. Within the bushmg 18 is mounted an insulator 22 in which the current supply wires are embedded, connection thereto from the. outer leads 7 and 7 being made through theplug 23, as understood in the art. Y

As thusy applied inthe radiator, the vapolrizerfas mainly concealed so lthat it does not 1n any way-detractfromthe attractive appearance of a neat, wellpr0portioned radiator. Moreover as the heat generating part of the vap'orizer is wholly contained within the radiator,'the operating conditions are conducive to maximum vapor generating eiiiciency as there is practically no opportunity for radiation vor other dissipation of the heat generated otherwise than directly to the Water supplied to the vaporizer. Only a negligible part, .if any, of the heat is transmitted along the length of the vaporizer to its base and there radiated to the air.

Referring further to the structure of the vaporizer 1, shown in Fig. 1, the insulator 22, which is made of heat resistant material, preferably clay, porcelain, or the like, is formed with an inwardly projecting hollow tubular part 22 whereon the heat generating resistance conductors 24 are disposed, the wires preferablyv being substantially ein- ,bedded in the body of the part 22 or laid on its surface and protected by a suitable glaze, so as to be free from injury by moisture, as understood in the art.

The inner end of the casing 16 is partly closed by an inwardly turned flange 25 thereon, said flange being formed centrally with an opening adapted to serve as an inletl passage for water and bein provided with an exteriorly threaded nipp e 26 adapted to receive the centrally perforated cap 27. Inside the heat generatin tube 22 there is mounted a cylindricaltu e 28 in spaced relation thereto, one end of which is closed as at 29, the Opposite end being open and fitting tightly within the nipple 26. A pack- Iing ring or gasket 30 fits between the cap 27 yother part of the space 32 being open and adapted to serve as a steam chamber and passageway. The said material 33 is preferably porous or wick-like in character,y arid adapted to cause a gradual feeding of water outward through the apertures 31. `Vapor outlet passages or steam ports 34 are provided. in the heat generatingtube adjacent to the closed end 29 of the tube 28.

The operation of the device yshown in Fig. l is as follows: Water is supplied tothe radiator suiiicientto nearly cover the vaporizerf -1. The electric current is then turned OIl and almost instantly begins to vaporize the moisture' contained in the wick member 33. The steam generated in the wick is thence discharged' into the open part of the space@ between the water tube and the heater element, where it is somewhat superheated as it passes along the inner' face ofthe heater member tothe vent ports 34, where it is disvaporizer comprises a water supply tube 41 laterally perforate as at 41 near its upper end, a layer of fibrous material 42 disposed thereon, and an electric heater unit 43 of tubular shape surrounding the fibrous layer. The inner tube 41 is connected to a water supply main 41 and is provided with a shutoff valve 44. The opposite or upper end of the tube 41 is closed by a cap 45 screwed thereon. Packing46 isprovided between the same cap and the heater element to prevent the escape ofssteam from the upper end of the device. A washer 47 is disposed between the packing and said cap to-facilitate clamping the packing tightly in place. The

lower end of vthe heater element 43 bears downwardly against a bushing 48 fitting tightly against the supply pipe and having threaded engagement therewith. The upper end 0f said bushing 48 is provided with 4 `apertures or vents 49 for the escape of the steam descending inside of the heater element. An outer tube or jacket 50 is mounted on said device concentric therewith being supported by a cup-shaped member 51 centrally apertured and secured by a flange or shoulder 48 and a nut 52 on said bushing. A steam-tight fit is secured between said bushing and cup member by means of packing washers 53. The upper end of the outer tu e 50 may terminate adjacent to the top of the vaporizer in case an instrument is to be used as a humidifier. If the steam is to be used for some other purpose, the -said outer tube may be extended to conduct the steam to such point as may be desired, as for instance to a radiator.

The water retarding and distributing means or wick member 42 extends over only the upper part of the tube 41, and particularly the perforated part. Heating resistance wire 54 is wound upon the tube 43 `and is protected by glaze. The heater is energized by current supplied through the leads 55 and 56, leading to a source 57 and containing a switch 58. i

In operation the device is started by turning on the water by valve 44 and also the current by the switch 57 Steam is generated on the wick and passes down into the superheating chamber 59 thence out through the vents 49 and up into the jacket chamber 60 where it is further heated, and finally is discharged upward wherever it may be desired.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the

l i radiator heater attachment comprises a hollow insulating core 65 on which the resistance wire 66 is carried, preferably being arranged in spiral grooves 67 on the outer surface, an outer shell or casing 68 formed with an interior spiral passageway 69 for the Water and steam, a thin waterproof shell 70 surrounding the heater element and fitting within the spirally grooved casing 68, and a layer of heat resistant insulation 71, preferably mica, disposed between the said wires and shell 70.

The outer casing 68 is. provided with means for securing the attachment to the radiator, and for this purpose, its base end is exteriorly threaded as at 72 for engaging the interior threads of a bushing 73 which fits in the threaded aperture of the radiator 2 substantially in the manner shown in Fig. 1. Said casing` is provided with an inlet aperture 74 for water at one end, and at itsv `vide a b v-pass for the Water, a hollow checkV nut 78 being providedvat the inner end of the aperture to retain the valve in its operative position., and the outer end of the aperture being provided with a hollow nut or bushing 79 provided with a conoidal seat adapted to scrvc as a port with which thev valve coacts. The spiral passageway 69 for the waterand steam may be large enough for the water to flow merely by gravity, or it may be relatively small and adapted for capillary action. Although a spiral form for the passagemiy is preferred, the invention is not limited thereto. When the heater attachment is in place in the radiator, the water level is somewhat above y the inlet valve and preferably adjacent to the top edge of the outer casing, but below the orifice of the steam'vent. Current supply leads S1 and 82 extend inward through the insulation core 65, one going to each end of the winding, said core being closed at its outer end either by a wall member which may be either integral or in the form of a separate closure disk 83 with the said leads held by said wall in duly spaced relation. The outer ends of said leads may be threaded or otherwise suitably formed and adapted for connection to current. supply leads, as understood in the art.

The shell 70 is preferably very thin and may be made of copper or someother good heat conductor, not inclined to rust.` The mica insulation is also thin, so that theheat generated is transmitted directly and almost instantly to the passage 6,9 for vaporizing the water. 'f

In voperation the water enters by gravity past thevalve 76, and traverses the passageway69. As the water advances it gradually gets hot and inally'evaporates before it gets through the passages 69 and in the remainingpart of the passage the steam becomes superheated, and is so discharged at 75.

In the form shown in Fig. 5 the device is of Simple portable construction, somewhat resembling a wick-lamp. The frame or body 91 of the device comprises a reservoir 92 for water in the lower part, and a vaporizing tube 93 mounted thereon with a wick 94 extending downward from said tube into the water 92. Mounted on said tube 93 is an electric heater unit or wire 95 adapted for generating sufficient heat to vaporize the water carried up by said wick into the tube 93. The upper end of the tube may be open for the discharge of the steam. This form of the device is especially adapted for use as a humidifier in sick rooms, or other places where artificial moistening of the air may be desired temporarily, and where other sources of steam are not readily available. The electric heater unit may be of any suitable form but preferably comprises a coil of resistance wire embedded and sealed in` a porcelain tube substantially as found on the market, said tube being provided with suitable terminals 96 which may be connected as by a cord 97 to any source of electrie current of a potential corresponding with the design and current capacity of the heater unit, as for instance to an ordinary lighting circuit, theusual pressure being about v110 volts.

The form of generator and 4superheater shown in Fig. 2 is especially adapted for humidifying the ai'r, superheated steam being best adapted for vthat purpose as it does not condense before it can be diffused suiiciently with the air.

Although several specific embodiments of this invention have been herein shown and described, it will be understood that-numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A flash steam generatory and superheater, comprising a plurality of members disposed concentrically in mutually fixed relation, A,including a centrally disposed water supply tube, a heater unit and a steam conduit in the order enumerated, said supply tube being closed at one end and provided in one part with numerous small discharge apertures, a wickmember surrounding the apertured part of said supply tube and lilling the space between that part of the supply tube andthe heater, the other part or parts of the heater being spaced from the supply tube and steam conduit, whereby the vapor generated in the wick member may pass through the open space in the heater steam generated past the dry, hot walls of n the opposite end.

3. An electric steam generator, comprising a water supply tube closed at one end and provided with lateral apertures for the discharge of water, in combination with a layer of heat resistance porous material surrounding the apertured part of said tube, and a tubular electric heater disposed against and surrounding said material.

4.-. A quick acting device of the'character described, comprising a closed radiating receptacle the lower part of which is designed and adapted for holding water, and a gravity feed ash steam combination generator and superheater of unitary character disposed in said receptacle partly above and partly below the normal water level, said generator and superheater comprising an electric heater unit and a guide member having a passageway formed and adapted toconduct water by gravity in a small stream to and against part of said heater unit for quick conversion into steam and also to conduct the steam so formed past another part of said heater unit for superheating same, whereby hot, dry steam may be quickly supplied to said radiating receptacle.

5. A radiator, comprising a closed radiating receptacle having a water reservoir in its lower part into which the receptacle as a whole may drain automatically, and a steam generator mounted in said reservoir and receptacle, saidgenerator comprising an electric heater unit disposed partly below and partly above the normal water level of said reservoir whereby normally it is partly immersed, and guide means disposed adjacent to but spaced somewhat away from said heater unit both below and above the water level, .whereby the water is admitted yand guided in a small stream to the lower part of said unit and is thence guided upward adjacent thereto and so converted quickly into steam, and is thence discharged into said radiating receptacle above the water level in superheated condition.

6. A radiator adapted to hold water in its lower part, a flash steam generator in said radiator adapted for superheating the steam generated, and Ameans for feeding the water by gravity to said generator.

7 A thin-walled radiator, comprising sheets of pressed metal welded together at rob their edges and including a relatively small Water reservoir in its lower part, in combination with an electric flash steam generator secured thereto in gravity operative working relation to said reservoir for quick supply of steam in said radiator.

8.- A flash steam generator, comprising a pair of tubes disposed one Within the other in spaced relation, the one being a liquid supply tube, means pervious to liquid disposed in the space between said tubes, the outer tube being provided with electric heating means and the said one tube having Walls pervious to liquid.

9. A flash steam generator,' comprising an electric heater, means for r' feeding water gradually to a part of said heater for vaporization, and means'for conducting the resultant Avapor and steam past another part of the heater 'for superheating before discharge from said generator.l`

10. An electric steam generator, comprising a moisture-proof heatinglelement, conduit means formed and arranged to supply water by gravity to said element, and restricted guide means adaptedgto' control the discharge of Water theretovfautomatically substantially in accordance with the rate of evaporation.

11. A quick-acting electric steam radiator having a small mass relative to its effective area and comprising a thin Walled sheet metal steam -tight inclosure of unitary character formed and arranged to hold a small quantity of water in its lower part, an electric heater element disposed partly immersed and partly above the Water level, and a. guide shield adjacent to said element formed and arranged to restrict access of the water 1.o the element to a small stream. whereby part of the water may be converted into steam quickly and bef ore the main lood)v of Water is heated.

12. A radiator having a chamber provided with water in its lower part, and an electricheater element disposed with part ofits surface in Contact with the Water for generating steam and with the rest of its surface dis-- posed out of contact With the Water for superheating the steam.

Signed at Chieagothis 26th day of Nov.

WILLIAM B. LUCAS. 

